2008 News archive

Dr Joanne Whittaker and Professor Dietmar Müller, from the School of Geosciences, and colleagues in France and USA, have found a previously unknown connection between the break-up of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea and the topography of the deep ocean floor.

New research conducted at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, has shed light on a palaeontological paradox: how soft animal tissues are able to survive long enough to become fossilised. The secret ingredient is bacteria.

New research conducted at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, has shed light on a palaeontological paradox: how soft animal tissues are able to survive long enough to become fossilised. The secret ingredient is bacteria.

Dr Joanne Whittaker and Professor Dietmar Müller, from the School of Geosciences, and colleagues in France and USA, have found a previously unknown connection between the break-up of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea and the topography of the deep ocean floor.

The Faculty of Science is a key partner in the new $385 million Centre for Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease, which will receive $95 million from the Australian Government through its Higher Education Endowment Fund.

The Faculty of Science is a key partner in the new $385 million Centre for Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease, which will receive $95 million from the Australian Government through its Higher Education Endowment Fund.

Dr Audrey Dussutour, from the School of Biological Sciences, has won the 2008 Outstanding Paper Prize from the Journal of Experimental Biology. This prestigious international prize is awarded annually by the journal's editors to an outstanding young scientist for their contribution to an exceptional research paper published during the year.

Dr Audrey Dussutour, from the School of Biological Sciences, has won the 2008 Outstanding Paper Prize from the Journal of Experimental Biology. This prestigious international prize is awarded annually by the journal's editors to an outstanding young scientist for their contribution to an exceptional research paper published during the year.

Associate Professor Rodney Cross, from the School of Physics, provided key evidence in the trial of Gordon Wood for the murder of Caroline Byrne, a Sydney model, who's body was found in June 1995 at the foot of The Gap, in Watsons Bay.

Associate Professor Rodney Cross, from the School of Physics, provided key evidence in the trial of Gordon Wood for the murder of Caroline Byrne, a Sydney model, who's body was found in June 1995 at the foot of The Gap, in Watsons Bay.

Dr Andrew Whitten, Dr Cy Jeffries and Professor Jill Trewhella, from the School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, University of Sydney, with Samantha Harris, from the University of California, USA, have the first data clearly showing how a protein in heart muscle cells works to maintain regular heart function.

Dr Andrew Whitten, Dr Cy Jeffries and Professor Jill Trewhella, from the School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, University of Sydney, with Samantha Harris, from the University of California, USA, have the first data clearly showing how a protein in heart muscle cells works to maintain regular heart function.

The Australian government has reduced the cost of undergraduate science and mathematics degrees starting in 2009 - there has never been a better time to enrol in an undergraduate science degree. Fees have fallen from as high as $7 260 per year in 2008 to $4 162 per year starting from 2009.

The Australian government has reduced the cost of undergraduate science and mathematics degrees starting in 2009 - there has never been a better time to enrol in an undergraduate science degree. Fees have fallen from as high as $7 260 per year in 2008 to $4 162 per year starting from 2009.

Faculty of Science researchers have scored more than $3.66 million in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants, announced on 16 October 2008 by The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing.

Faculty of Science researchers have scored more than $3.66 million in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants, announced on 16 October 2008 by The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing.

Researchers from the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney have secured $19.3 million in funding for Discovery Projects and more than $1.78 million in funding for Linkage Projects from the Australian Research Council, for research to begin in 2009.

Researchers from the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney have secured $19.3 million in funding for Discovery Projects and more than $1.78 million in funding for Linkage Projects from the Australian Research Council, for research to begin in 2009.

Jennifer Tilley, a British Masters of Engineering student who completed her final year research project in the University of Sydney's School of Physics, has won Best Student in Materials Science at the UK's prestigious 2008 Science, Engineering and Technology Student of the Year awards.

Jennifer Tilley, a British Masters of Engineering student who completed her final year research project in the University of Sydney's School of Physics, has won Best Student in Materials Science at the UK's prestigious 2008 Science, Engineering and Technology Student of the Year awards.

The 2008 CHAST Distinguished Lecture will be given by Professor Ben Davis of the University of Oxford, who has conducted leading work in the use of Chemistry to answer fundamental questions in Biology, such as ways to prevent HIV and malaria.

The 2008 CHAST Distinguished Lecture will be given by Professor Ben Davis of the University of Oxford, who has conducted leading work in the use of Chemistry to answer fundamental questions in Biology, such as ways to prevent HIV and malaria.

Professor Bryan Gaensler, from the School of Physics at the University of Sydney, comments on the way scientific research is funded in Australia's universities. He says it puts an excessive emphasis on guaranteed results at the expense of adventurous ideas and major breakthroughs.

Professor Bryan Gaensler, from the School of Physics at the University of Sydney, comments on the way scientific research is funded in Australia's universities. He says it puts an excessive emphasis on guaranteed results at the expense of adventurous ideas and major breakthroughs.

Sydney University scientists have successfully secured more than $940 000 in the recent round of International Science Linkages Competitive Grants scheme - a significant proportion of the federal funding for new international research projects.

Sydney University scientists have successfully secured more than $940 000 in the recent round of International Science Linkages Competitive Grants scheme - a significant proportion of the federal funding for new international research projects.

Professor Chris Dickman, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology and Director of the Institute of Wildlife Research in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, has won the prestigious Whitley Medal for his book 'A fragile balance: the extraordinary story of Australian marsupials.'

Professor Chris Dickman, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology and Director of the Institute of Wildlife Research in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, has won the prestigious Whitley Medal for his book 'A fragile balance: the extraordinary story of Australian marsupials.'

Dr Richard Grant, a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, has been opening up the world of the science lab through his blogs: 'Life of a Lab Rat' and 'The Scientist'.

Dr Richard Grant, a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, has been opening up the world of the science lab through his blogs: 'Life of a Lab Rat' and 'The Scientist'.

A show where air crushes steel, a chance to make lightening and extract DNA from strawberries, plus Dr Karl's show 'Great Moments in Science'… it could only mean one thing - Science in the City in 2008!

A show where air crushes steel, a chance to make lightening and extract DNA from strawberries, plus Dr Karl's show 'Great Moments in Science'… it could only mean one thing - Science in the City in 2008!

The World Scholars program will provide expanded study opportunities for the best and brightest international research students, build sustainable research relationships with partner institutions overseas, and promote international student diversity.

The World Scholars program will provide expanded study opportunities for the best and brightest international research students, build sustainable research relationships with partner institutions overseas, and promote international student diversity.

The Women in Science Project is sponsored by the Faculties of Science at the University of Sydney. It originated from an awareness that, although women are well represented among undergraduate and postgraduate students and even among postdoctoral fellows, they are under-represented among staff in senior academic roles. Women are also over-represented in the lower levels of the academic hierarchy and tend not to apply for promotion in the same numbers as men.

The Women in Science Project is sponsored by the Faculties of Science at the University of Sydney. It originated from an awareness that, although women are well represented among undergraduate and postgraduate students and even among postdoctoral fellows, they are under-represented among staff in senior academic roles. Women are also over-represented in the lower levels of the academic hierarchy and tend not to apply for promotion in the same numbers as men.

Professor Steve Simpson, from the School of Biological Sciences, is a finalist in two of the 2008 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes categories - for Scientific Research and the People's Choice Award. Vote for him in the People's Choice Award!

Professor Steve Simpson, from the School of Biological Sciences, is a finalist in two of the 2008 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes categories - for Scientific Research and the People's Choice Award. Vote for him in the People's Choice Award!

Professor Christopher Dickman, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology in the School of Biological Sciences, is the first Australian to ever receive the prestigious C. Hart Merriam Award for outstanding and sustained research contributions in mammalogy.

Professor Christopher Dickman, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology in the School of Biological Sciences, is the first Australian to ever receive the prestigious C. Hart Merriam Award for outstanding and sustained research contributions in mammalogy.

Each year, the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney takes the opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding team of researchers and teachers who make Science at Sydney a major contributor and competitor in the global scientific community and the producer of the next generation of science leaders in Australia.

Each year, the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney takes the opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding team of researchers and teachers who make Science at Sydney a major contributor and competitor in the global scientific community and the producer of the next generation of science leaders in Australia.

We've all been left out in a social situation at some point, and it can really hurt our feelings. Ostracism - the act of being excluded and ignored - has damaging psychological, behavioural and physiological consequences, but this phenomenon has only recently been the focus of empirical investigation.

We've all been left out in a social situation at some point, and it can really hurt our feelings. Ostracism - the act of being excluded and ignored - has damaging psychological, behavioural and physiological consequences, but this phenomenon has only recently been the focus of empirical investigation.

Become a young Sleek Geek by entering the University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize. Entertaining science gurus, Dr Karl and Adam Spencer, invite young Australians to make a short film about any scientific topic that painlessly increases the audiences science knowledge or, as the Sleek Geeks like to say: "Learn something without even noticing."

Kaye Placing knows what science teachers want. Having originally been a high school science teacher, Kaye now works at the University of Sydney in UniServe Science, providing online, print and workshop resources for science teachers. Her work over the past ten years has won her a Distinguished Service Award from the Science Teachers Association of NSW, presented at their annual conference in December 2007.

It's not often that brown algae is considered exciting or revolutionary, but Associate Professor Dee Carter from the School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences at the University of Sydney and her former PhD student, Robert Moore, have found a new species of single-celled brown algae that is an evolutionary missing link.

Putting down a bet, having a flutter on the pokies or buying a lotto ticket are all accepted recreational activities in our culture. But gambling can get out of hand for some people costing them not only money, but their relationships, jobs and psychological well-being.

Become a young Sleek Geek by entering the University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize. Entertaining science gurus, Dr Karl and Adam Spencer, invite young Australians to make a short film about any scientific topic that painlessly increases the audiences science knowledge or, as the Sleek Geeks like to say: "Learn something without even noticing."

Putting down a bet, having a flutter on the pokies or buying a lotto ticket are all accepted recreational activities in our culture. But gambling can get out of hand for some people costing them not only money, but their relationships, jobs and psychological well-being.

It's not often that brown algae is considered exciting or revolutionary, but Associate Professor Dee Carter from the School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences at the University of Sydney and her former PhD student, Robert Moore, have found a new species of single-celled brown algae that is an evolutionary missing link.

Kaye Placing knows what science teachers want. Having originally been a high school science teacher, Kaye now works at the University of Sydney in UniServe Science, providing online, print and workshop resources for science teachers. Her work over the past ten years has won her a Distinguished Service Award from the Science Teachers Association of NSW, presented at their annual conference in December 2007.

Research by Dr Ashley Ward, from the School of Biological Sciences has shown for the first time in vertebrates just how strong the desire to follow a leader can be in animals that are alone compared to those in a group.

"Using both methods together will decrease the number and impact of cane toads in Australia," said Professor Shine. "Community groups, who are already at the frontline fighting cane toads, could implement these tactics in the future, because they are passionate about controlling toads and are good at organising action."

Research by Dr Ashley Ward, from the School of Biological Sciences has shown for the first time in vertebrates just how strong the desire to follow a leader can be in animals that are alone compared to those in a group.

"Using both methods together will decrease the number and impact of cane toads in Australia," said Professor Shine. "Community groups, who are already at the frontline fighting cane toads, could implement these tactics in the future, because they are passionate about controlling toads and are good at organising action."

A rapid new diagnostic test developed by Sydney researchers will mean fewer tests and less trauma for cancer patients says Richard Christopherson, who has a Personal Chair in the School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences in the Faculty of Science.

A rapid new diagnostic test developed by Sydney researchers will mean fewer tests and less trauma for cancer patients says Richard Christopherson, who has a Personal Chair in the School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences in the Faculty of Science.

University of Sydney scientists have taken out three of the four awards made to NSW scientists by the Australian Academy of Science for 2008. The award winners were announced in January and recipients will receive their awards in a ceremony as part of the Science at the Shine Dome event, held in Canberra in May 2008.

University of Sydney scientists have taken out three of the four awards made to NSW scientists by the Australian Academy of Science for 2008. The award winners were announced in January and recipients will receive their awards in a ceremony as part of the Science at the Shine Dome event, held in Canberra in May 2008.